King County omicron patient did not report recent travel, suggesting local spread

After it was announced that one case of the omicron variant had been identified in King County over the weekend, it’s now known that the patient has not reported any recent travel.

That, as Public Health — Seattle & King County notes, suggests the omicron variant “has been spreading locally.”

Delta variant remains Washington’s ‘biggest concern’ despite arrival of omicron

Based on the county’s investigation, the department found out that the King County patient — a woman in her 20s — tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 29, 2021. The individual was vaccinated and received a booster shot recently, likely after exposure.

On Dec. 8, the county reported that the patient has experienced mild illness and has not required hospitalization. There is no evidence of widespread exposure from this case, King County says.

The Washington State Department of Health confirmed Dec. 4, 2021, that three cases of omicron were found across the state in King, Thurston, and Pierce counties.

There are no additional details available at this time about the cases in Thurston and Pierce counties. It is known that the omicron cases are a man in his late 30s from Thurston County, and a man in his late 20s from Pierce County.

“While this is the first reported case in King County, it is likely not the only case,” states the county public health department’s blog. “With the variant now identified in multiple states and other countries, Public Health expects to see more cases confirmed in our region in the coming days and weeks.”

Find a Q&A with King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin about the omicron variant at this link.

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